Rolling mill bar twisting apparatus



Oct. 3, 1967 R. M. WEIGLE ROLLING MILL BAR TWISTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 12, 1964 INVENTOR Russd/M lVe/g/e Oct. 3, 1967 R. M. WEIGLE ROLLING MILL- BAR TWISTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 12 1964 INVENTOR /?usse// M Wc 'y/e United States Patent 3,344,642 ROLLING MILL BAR TWISTING APPARATUS Russell M. Weigle, Harrisburg, Pa., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Bethlehem Steel Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,032 6 Claims. (Cl. 72-231) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An apparatus for guiding bars from one pass to another in a multi-pass rolling mill operation comprising separately mounted opposed rollers provides means for independent adjustment and/ or replacement of the rollers.

'and/or replacement of worn parts is required, and is both time-consuming and costly.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide an improved bar twisting apparatus which is free from expensive and complicated machined parts.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for the rapid and accurate adjustment of the twist angularity and also the space between the rollers.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus wherein the life of the rollers is prolonged.

The present invention comprises generally a pair of opposed rollers rotatably mounted in separate frames and adapted to be spaced apart at diiferent distances as may be desired. The frames'are adjustably mounted on guide plates adjacent to the rollers, pivotally attached on diagonally opposite ends and adjustably attached on the other ends, so that the rollers may be adjusted to and maintained at any desired spacing and/ or angle of twist.

It should be clearly understood that no permanent twisting of the work is intended by using this apparatus. The apparatus is to be used as a roll guide that does not permanently deform the work.

Although reference is made to mounting the rollers and frames on guide plates it should be understood that they may be mounted in any suitable framework.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus, taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation of the bar twisting apparatus; FIGURE 4 is a front elevation of a roller and frame assembly;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the roller and frame assembly of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic arrangement of the bar twisting apparatus and roll stand illustrating the twisting effect of the apparatus on a bar; and

' FIGURE 7 is a front view of a pair of guide rollers showing in dotted lines the outline of a bar entering the guide rollers and in full lines the same bar having been .given a slight twist.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and first to FIGS. 1 and 6, the numerals 11 and 12 indicate two grooved rolls in a roll stand forming the pass for Patented Oct. 3, 1967 rolling bar 13. While reference is made throughout th: description of this invention to a bar, it should be under stood that the apparatus thus described is equally adapt able to any shape or material which is formed in a rolling mill.

The roll stand 10 is provided with rest bars (n01 shown) between the mill housings of the stand to which a pair of guide plates 14 and 15 are attached by means of mounting bolts passing through holes 16. Guide plates 14 and 15 are provided with recessed portion 51 for engagement with the rest bars. The pass line 17 is defined by said pair of guide plates 14 and 15 fixedly mounted in opposed relationship, arranged symmetrically with respect to said pass line and extending substantially parallel thereto opposite a pass formed by the grooves in rolls 11 and 12. In the pictured embodiment of this invention, a bar 13 of substantially rectangular cross section is being rolled by the well-known diagonal or angular rolling method in which the axes of the cross section are inclined. The guide plates 14 and 15 are provided with inclined faces 18 and 19 respectively to form a guide for the inclined bar emerging from the mill.

The guide plates 14 and 15 are provided with cars 20 and 21, respectively, at their ends 52 reaching outside said ends and extending outwardly from the pass line 17. Ears 20 and 21 are provided with holes 22 and 23, respectively, therethrough for mounting frames 27 and 28 thereon.

The bar twisting apparatus 24 is clearly shown in FIG. 3 to which particular reference is now made. 27 is a first frame in which roller 25 is rotatably mounted and 28 is a second frame in which roller 26 is rotatably mounted as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Frames 27 and 28 are adjustab'ly mounted on guide plates 14 and 15 as hereinafter described. Said frames are mounted symmetrically with respect to the pass line with roller surfaces 41 and 42 opposed and spaced apart to define an opening to receive bar 13.

A mounting pin 33 is located on each side of the pass line 17. Heads 34 of mounting pins 33 are pivotally secured to the diagonally opposite bifurcated ends 29 and 30 of frames 27 and 28, respectively, by bolts 35. The threaded shank portions 36 of mounting pins 33 pass through holes 22 and 23 in ears 20 and 21 of guide plates 14 and 15, respectively, and then through slotted holes 37 and 38 in the other ends 32 and 31 of frames 28 and 27, respectively, where they are adjustably attached to said ends by means of adjusting nuts 39.

Shims 40 are positioned on each of the mounting pins 33 between the guide plate ears 20 and 21 and the mounting pin heads 34 to establish the opening between the roller surfaces 41 and 42. When it is desired to adjust the opening for bars of different size and/ or shape, the adjusting nut 43 is loosened, and shims 40 removed or inserted as required on each mounting pin 33.

To adjust for twist, the adjusting nuts 39 are loosened, and by reason of the pivotal mounting of the bifurcated ends 29 and 30, a slight rotation is given to each frame about the axis of bolt 35, which said axis is substantially parallel to the pass line 17.

FIG. 2 shows clamping bolt 44 with head 46 engaged in slot 48 in guide plate 14. A similar slot 47 is provided on guide plate 15. The shank 459 of clamping bolt 44 extends longitudinally through a hole in the ends of the guide plates 14 and 15 and through the opening between the guide frames 27 and 28 to engage clamping plate 45 with not 50 on the threaded end portion of clamping bolt 44. Said frames are held firmly in the adjusted position by frictional engagement with clamping plates 45.

The rotatable mounting of the rollers of the twisting apparatus 24 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is typical for both roller and frame assemblies. The roller and frame assembly shown in FIGS. 4 and S is shown removed from the apparatus for clarity. Each roller is mounted on a shaft within the frame, the shaft provided with means such as a cotter pin for fixing the shaft in the frame.

Referring to FIG. 6, the bar 13 is seen progressing in the direction indicated by the arrow from the roll stand into the opening between the roller surfaces of the twisting apparatus. It is obvious that with the roller surfaces in parallel relationship to one another and at a slight angle to the aXis of the cross section of bar 13 and adjusted apart so that diagonally opposite corners of bar 13 contact the roller surfaces the required work of twisting is easily and accurately accomplished. FIG. 7 shows bar 13 in dotted lines entering the twisting apparatus, and in full lines the same bar after having been given a slight twist. The continuation of the longitudinal movement or travel of bar 13 continues the twisting thereof until the required angle of twist is accomplished by the time the bar completes its travel through the twisting apparatus 24. The end of the bar is then in the proper position for entry into the succeeding roll pass.

It is preferred to form the surfaces 41 and 42 of the rollers and 26, respectively, which contact the bar being twisted, as fiat rollers regardless of the section being rolled. However, the roller surfaces may be made with passes or grooves to fit or approximate the section of the bar being rolled. The roller surfaces may be tapered or convex or concave if desired.

It is evident that rapid and accurate adjustment is possible with the improved bar twisting apparatus hereinbefore described. The replacement of rollers 25 and 26, worn as a result of severe service due to the speed of rolling, heat, and normal frictional stresses, can be accomplished with a minimum of downtime and at very little cost. A further advantage of the present invention is the separate replacement of rollers 25 and 26. By removing adjusting nut 39 from end 31 of frame 27 and pivotal mounting bolt 35 from bifurcated end 29 of frame 27, said frame 27 can be lifted away from the twisting apparatus, the worn roller 25 removed, and a replacement roller inserted in said frame for immediate replacement of the frame in the twisting apparatus. Roller 26 in frame 28 may be separately replaced in like manner. A template is inserted between the roller surfaces 41 and 42 to assure the proper opening when bar size changes are made in the rolling mill. It is evident that a further advantage of the present invention is the ability to use rollers of different diameters in this apparatus by reason of the separate adjusting means. Worn rollers, when removed, are machined to smaller diameters for further use, thus prolonging the life of the roller and eliminating the costly method of building up the roller surface with weld metal.

Briefly summing up, therefore, an improved bar twisting apparatus is provided, wherein a bar of any size or shape being rolled in a rolling mill may be twisted about its longitudinal axis to any desired angle. The apparatus is provided with simple means for separately adjusting the rollers as required. The rollers have longer life by reason of this means for seperate adjustment of the rollers which compensates for uneven wear in the rollers. The initial cost as well as the maintenance costs of this apparatus are small.

It is intended that this apparatus may be used on the entry side as well as hereinbefore described on the delivery side of any and all roll stands in a rolling mill. It may further be adapted for use at any point intermediate of the roll stands if desired.

Although the invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that I do not wish to be limited narrowly to the exact and specific particulars disclosed, but I may also use such substitutes, modifications or equivalents as are included within the scope and spirit of the invention or pointed out in the appended claims.

4 Iclaim: 1. A bar twisting apparatus for a rolling mill comprising:

(a) a pair of opposed rollers arranged symmetrically with respect to the pass line, (b) each roller rotatably mounted in a separate frame, (0) means for separately adjusting each frame to vary the opening between the rollers, (d) means for separately adjusting each frame about the pass line including two mounting pins each having a head pivotally attached in diagonally opposite bifurcated ends of the frames and a threaded shank portion adjustably attached to the other ends of the frames, and (e) means mounting the apparatus adjacent the mill. 2, A bar twisting apparatus mounted adjacent to a rolling mill comprising:

(a) a pair of opposed rollers, (b) one roller rotatably mounted in a first frame and the other roller rotatably mounted in a second frame, (c) each frame adjustably mounted adjacent to the rolling mill housing, (d) :said rollers arranged symmetrically with respect to the pass line, (e) means for separately adjusting each frame about said pass line including a first mounting pin and a second mounting pin, one end of said first frame pivotally secured to a first end of said first mounting pin, one end of said second frame pivotally secured to the end of said second mounting pin diagonally opposite said first end of said first mounting p i the other end of said first frame adjustably secured to the other end of said second mounting pin, and the other end of said second frame adjustably secured to the other end of said first mounting r (f) means for separately adjusting each frame to vary the opening between the rollers including shims positioned on each of said mounting .pins,

and (g) means for clamping said frames in adjusted position including a plate member in contact with each of said frames. 3. A bar twisting apparatus mounted adjacent to a rolling mill comprising:

(a) a pair of opposed rollers, (b) one roller rotatably mounted in a first frame and the other roller rotatably mounted in a second frame, (0) each frame adjustably mounted adjacent to the rolling mill housing, (d) said rollers arranged symmetrically with respect to the pass line, (e) means for separately adjusting each frame about said pass line including a first mounting pin and a second mounting pin, each mounting pin having a head on one end and a threaded shank portion on the other end, one end of said first frame having a bifurcated portion pivotally secured to the head end of said first mounting pin, the other end of said first frame adjustably secured to the threaded shank portion of said second mounting pin, one end of said second frame having a bifurcated portion pivotally secured to the head end of said second mounting pin, the other end of said second frame adjustably secured to the threaded shank portion of said first mounting pin,

(f) means for separately adjusting each frame to vary the opening between the rollers including shims positioned on each of said mounting pins,

and (g) means for clamping said frames in adjusted position including a plate member in contact with each of said frames. 4. A bar twisting device for a rolling mill comprising: (a) a first and a second mounting pin,

(b) means tadjustably securing said mounting pins in 1 parallel relationship adjacent to the pass line of the mill at the exit side thereof,

(0) a first frame pivotally secured to one end of the first mounting pin and extending toward the second mounting pin,

(d) means adjustably securing the first frame to one end of the second mounting pin,

(e) a second frame pivotally secured to the other end of the second mounting pin and extending towards the first mounting pin,

(f) means adjustably securing the second frame to the other end of the first mounting pin, and

(g) a roller mounted in each of said fnames.

5. Apparatus for guiding a bar in a rolling mill comprising:

(a) a pair of opposed rollers arranged symmetrically with respect to the pass line,

(b) one roller rotatably mounted in a first frame, and the other roller rotatably mounted in a second frame,

(c) means for separately adjusting each frame to vary the opening between the rollers,

((1) means for separately adjusting each frame about the pass line, and

(e) means for separately removing and replacing each frame.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the means in subparagraph (e) comprises:

a first and second mounting pin,

means adjustably securing said mounting pins in parallel relationship adjacent the pass line of the mill,

the first frame removably secured to one end of the first mounting pin and extending toward the second mounting pin,

means removably securing the first frame to one end of the second mounting pin,

the second frame removably secured to the other end of the second mounting pin and extending toward the first mounting pin, and

means removably securing the second frame to the other end of the first mounting pin.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 947,554 1/1910 Hughes 72-227 1,655,845 1/1928 Roof 72-428 2,325,397 7/1943 Hawthorne 7225O RICHARD J. HERBST, Primary Examiner.

30 K. C. DECKER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A BAR TWISTING APPARATUS FOR A ROLLING MILL COMPRISING: (A) A PAIR OF OPPOSED ROLLERS ARRANGED SYMMETRICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE PASS LINE, (B) EACH ROLLER ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN A SEPARATE FRAME, (C) MEANS FOR SEPARATELY ADJUSTING EACH FRAME TO VARY THE OPENING BETWEEN THE ROLLERS, (D) MEANS FOR SEPARATELY ADJUSTING EACH FRAME TO VARY THE PASS LINE INCLUDING TWO MOUNTING PINS EACH HAVING A HEAD PIVOTALLY ATTACHED IN DIAGONALLY OPPOSITE BIFURCATED ENDS OF THE FRAMES AND A THREADED SHANK PORTION AD- 